Beyond Elizabeth Bennet: writing modern-day romance fiction

- The conventions of the romance genre
- Common cliches and how to break them
- Romance settings with a twist
- Creating your central couple
- Plots and manipulations.

Students will analyse excerpts from Austen's most beloved stories, and those from authors who have been influenced by her work, in order to explore new approaches to writing the modern-day romance. There will also be a mix of writing exercises, group discussions, group work activities, pair work and formal instruction from the tutor. All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.